This week Jeremy King unveils his magnum opus, Simpson's, the bar under El Pastor gets a complete overhaul, the Mazi team open a new Greek restaurant in Mayfair and Jamie Oliver is bringing back Jamie's Italian.
Simpson's in the Strand
Temple - 100 Strand, London WC2R 0EW
It's been a while coming, but Jeremy King's relaunch of Simpson's is finally upon us. Opening this week is the main event, the Grand Divan dining room, where waiters with cuts of roast beef (and more) will be roaming on trolleys around a beautifully restored room. But there's a lot more to the opening. Upstairs is the beautiful Simpson's Bar, while in the basement you'll find another bar, Nellie's Tavern, which has a late-night (currently up to 2am) licence. And by the end of the month, Romano's will have opened - that's the slightly more affordable upstairs cousin to The Grand Divan. It's a hugely ambitious opening, but if anyone can pull it off, it's Jeremy King.
Opening date: 10 March 2026
Maza
Mayfair - 21-25 Bruton Place, London W1J 6NQ
This Greek restaurant comes from the same people behind Mazi in Notting Hill. It's the latest opening on Bruton Place (where you'll find The Guinea, The Cocochine and Bellamy's), a street which has been going through a big overhaul over the past few years. The food here will be inspired by "classic Athenean cuisine" with dishes like a grilled lobster with lobster head bisque rice and a pistachio baklava ice-cream sandwich on the menu, as well as a big focus on their fish of the day, prepared in several ways.
Opening date: 12 March 2026
El Siete
Soho - 66-70 Brewer Street, Soho, London W1F 9UP
We've always been big fans of the bar that is below El Pastor, right back to its days as the Hix bar. But for the first time since Hix, the bar is going through a complete overhaul. The bar itself is moving into a central position, and they're even adding a new entrance, completely separate from El Pastor. Margaritas are a big focus and we like the sound of the one that's delivered in an aluminium flask to keep it ice cold. As for the food, it's all about mini tostadas - even a caramelised banana & dulce de leche tostada dessert option.
Opening date: 14 March 2026
Jamie's Italian
Leicester Square - 17-18 Irving Street, Leicester Square, LondonWC2H 7AU
After a very public exit from the UK under administration, Jamie Oliver is bringing back his most well-known restaurant to London after seven years' absence (as a team-up with Prezzo). Dishes back on the menu include prawn linguine, their meat planks, ravioli fritti and, of course, fresh pasta dishes. Also, if you were one of the many who decided to take home one of the Jamie's Italian napkins from its last iteration, they'll give you free pasta if you bring it back. Will Jamie be able to compete with the explosion in fresh pasta restaurants in London? We'll have to see.
Opening date: 11 March 2026
FlipDog
Old Street - 104-122 City Road, London EC1V 2NR
The second big bar opening of the week is over in Old Street, which is not, as the name might suggest, all about hot dogs. Instead, the main gimmick is that drinks are finished off by inserting a 1200°C iron poker into them "to enhance flavour, texture, and aroma." The bar will be across two floors (each with a different drinks list) and on the food front, they're planning a menu that's a mix of European and Asian influences.
Opening date: 14 March 2026
This week's events
9-13 March (South Bank) - Lyaness is running a week-long collab menu with Bibi, which will pair modern Indian dishes with Lyaness's cocktails. Special dishes on the menu include Oysters with Pear Jal Jeera, Lamb Neck Nihari with Kulcha, and Cherry Blossom & Chocolate Mousse.
Here's what opened last week
Burro (Covent Garden) - Trullo's chef goes it alone with a new Italian restaurant.
Sale e Pepe Mare (Marylebone) - After 50 years, Salé e Pépé launch a follow-up, this time all about seafood.
TAQ (Notting Hill) - Taqueria rebranded, with a little help from Jackson Boxer.
Cooper's Cut (Tower Bridge) - A new steakhouse, taking over from La Dame du Pic.
MRBL (City of London) - Another new steakhouse for the City.
Med Salleh Restaurant (Kentish Town) - The very popular Malaysian restaurant goes north.
Maki & Ramen (Soho) - They started in Scotland, and now they've opened a late-night Soho restaurant.
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